Music put to use to promote reformative justice for juveniles

Song video narrates story of a child caught in drug trafficking

ISLAMABAD:

A civil society organisation has released a music video sensitising people on child rights and the juvenile justice system catering for reforming instead of punishing the underage offenders.

Speakers called for effective measures for the rehabilitation of children caught in the web of criminal groups like drugs and human traffickers.

In a statement, the Group Development Pakistan (GDP), which is working on protecting and promoting child rights and strengthening child protection and justice with children across Pakistan, said the video song was released to raise awareness on justice with children and the benefit of reformative justice.

The song titled Urdh Ja or fly away was written and sung by Asfar Hussain. Misbah Uddin, a young producer, composer and instrumentalist, co-created the song with Asfar. The video was made by Slugline, a new company created by young students, who had also produced Begunah, a mini-web series on Child Justice, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Law and Justice and GDP, with support from the British High Commission.

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The video song creatively features the journey of a child involved in drug trafficking due to various personal circumstances and his journey towards recovery and healing. The juvenile court is seen as a state institution supporting the child in his rehabilitation process.

After launching the video song, the participants who comprised children, mental health specialists, media, young lawyer, teachers and CSOs discussed reformative justice and how arts such as music and poetry could contribute to raising awareness on such difficult topics.

Ehsan Ghani, ex-general coordinator for National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and current convener for Margalla Book Club shared his views on youth and children’s engagement for justice reform and how poetry and music could contribute to such a transformative agenda.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2^nd, 2021.